Producers planning Indian version of TOWIE

Producers of 'The Only Way is Essex' have quit the UK show to focus on creating an Indian version

Producers of 'The Only Way is Essex' are heading to Mumbai to make an Indian version of the show.

Lime Pictures - the production team behind the hit UK series - have decided to head overseas to start up another version of the hit ITV2 series.

They are said to be on the look-out for new reality stars - who live in rich areas - to be the equivalent to series favourites including Joey Essex and James 'Arg' Argent and they will be focusing on the social elite in the busy city.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Mumbai is just like Essex in a strange way - it's teeming with young people who are obsessed with themselves.

"Bosses are looking for vain, good-looking pals to take the central roles and it hasn't been hard.

"Just like in Brentwood, the Mumbai social scene is all about looking your best and bitching about your pals and rivals."

Producers will be in the city for months searching for future stars and the new venture is being planned for an Indian broadcaster but as English is spoken in the country too it is thought it could be shown in the UK as well.

It is just one of a number of plans to make the show an international hit by taking it to other countries.

Meanwhile when the seventh season of the popular series returns to screens, ITV2 are promising some big changes which will see a completely new production team at the helm.